Young boys should be encouraged to play with toy guns and other weapons at nursery, says new Government advice.

It tells staff to resist their "natural instinct" to stop boys playing with weapons in games.

But teachers condemned it, saying toy guns "symbolise aggression".

The guidance by the Department for Children, Schools and Families says: "Sometimes practitioners find the play of boys more difficult to understand and value than that of girls."

It adds: "Boys' play ... may involve characters with special powers or weapons. Adults can find this particularly challenging and have a natural instinct to stop it.

"This is not necessary as long as practitioners help them understand and respect the rights of other children." The guidance is part of a drive to stop boys falling behind at school at an early age.

It says: "Creating situations so that boys' interests in these forms of play can be fostered through healthy and safe risk taking will enhance every aspect of learning and development."

But NUT leader Steve Sinnott said: "Weapons symbolise aggression. The reason teachers intervene is the boy is usually being very aggressive."

Nasuwt leader Chris Keates said it risked the anger of parents who do not allow boys to play with weapons.

Children's Minister Beverley Hughes said: "Such imaginary games are good for development and good fun. The guidance impresses the need to teach children they must respect each other and harming another person in the real world is not acceptable."

BULLET POINTS

Police told a boy of eight, from Swindon, to destroy his "imitation firearm" - a toy gun.

A dad and his son from Sheffield were arrested after buying plastic guns.